VR Tech Times

The Ducati Multistrada is one of the most successful modern motorcycles to have raced up the famed Pikes Peak hill climb, having taken 7 wins over the years. Motorcycle racing was banned at the Peak after Ducati star Carlin Dunne tragically lost his life in a crash just metres before the finish line in 2019, but Ducati still has a tribute to this race in the form of the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. Effectively, this motorcycle goes back to the Multistrada’s roots of being a tall, sporty road-biased motorcycle. The primary sporty element comes in the shift from a 19-inch front on the standard Multistrada V4 to a 17-inch unit here. But there’s a whole lot more that you get for the (considerable) extra cash over the Multi V4 S than just a smaller front wheel. That includes a new Race Mode and Öhlins EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, just like you would have found on the previous-gen Panigale V4 S. It even gets a single-sided swingarm, forged aluminium wheels and a road-legal titanium Akrapo...

The BMW F 450 GS line-up is spread across three variants – Base, Exclusive and GS Trophy – which share the same engine and differ based on features and components. The 420cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine produces 48hp at 8,750rpm and 43Nm at 6,750rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. BMW’s Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless upshifts and downshifts is standard from the Exclusive variant. For this test, we had the top-spec variant that gets BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch. BMW F 450 GS: Acceleration During our test, the road conditions were wet. Acceleration Time (seconds) 0-40kph 1.55s 0-60kph 2.57s  0-80kph 3.88s 0-100kph 5.72s For the acceleration test, we were riding the bike in Road mode with the traction control turned off. We launched the bike manually instead of using the Easy Ride Clutch for a quick launch off the line. The bike offers potent performance in the mid range and acceleration tapers off as the revs climb close to the redline. The F 450 GS achieved the 0-100kph sprint ...

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Ever since the Xpulse 210 was launched, I was fascinated by the balance it strikes between a dual-sport motorcycle and an adventure tourer. With its slim midsection, 21-inch front wheel, long-travel suspension and commanding riding position, it seemed like the ideal companion for our less-than-perfect roads. After spending over two months with the bike, I can confidently say it has lived up to those expectations. The odometer has now crossed the 5,600km mark, and the Xpulse continues to reinforce why it’s such a unique proposition. The 21-inch front wheel and beak lend the Xpulse an imposing stance There really isn’t another motorcycle at this price point that offers the same blend of everyday usability, touring ability and genuine off-road capability. Spend another Rs 30,000-40,000, and you’ll find yourself looking at the TVS Apache RTX , which is a more touring-oriented adventure motorcycle. The Hero , meanwhile, stays true to its dual-sport roots, making it just as happy on broke...

If Lamborghinis look like they’ve time-travelled from the future, and Ferraris appear shaped in wind tunnels, Maseratis are all about sculpture – flowing lines, gentle curves and delicate details. I’m no art connoisseur, but the gorgeous GranTurismo seems very much part of the awe-inspiring scenery at Italian seaside town Trieste’s Piazza Unità d’Italia.   Maserati GranTurismo Exterior Design and Engineering - 9/10 Classic GT proportions and Maserati details make it very eye-catching. There’s the impossibly long bonnet, the neatly tucked-in cabin and the flowing rear that has become a GranTurismo trademark. Signature Maserati cues remain intact too, from the triple vents behind the front wheels to the distinctive rear quarter window and the Trident proudly displayed on the C-pillar. Even the way the muscular rear haunches merge into the tail has an elegance that’s hard to ignore. Revised front bumper adds aggression to GranTurismo look. 2026’s styling revisions are concentrated a...

Bajaj has revealed the updated Pulsar N160 , celebrating 25 years of the Pulsar brand’s legacy, and a simplified variant nomenclature. The motorcycle now gets a brand-new four valve engine that has more power than before. The higher variant gets a host of new features including a TFT instrument cluster with Google Maps mirroring, traction control, and four ride modes. This is perhaps the biggest challenger yet to the current segment leader, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V , upgraded last year. Let’s see how the popular street-nakeds compare, on paper. Bajaj Pulsar N160 (4V) vs TVS Apache RTR 160 4V: Engine and output Similar peak power and torque figures   Bajaj Pulsar N160 (4V) TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Engine 164.5cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled 159.9cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled Power 18.5hp at 9,500rpm 17.55hp at 9,250rpm Torque 14.4Nm at 8,000rpm 14.73Nm at 7,500rpm Gearbox 5-speed 5-speed Power-to-weight ratio 122.52hp/tonne 120.21hp/tonne Bajaj has given the N160 an all new 4V engi...

It’s no secret that Bajaj is working on multiple product launches over the next few months. We know the updated Pulsar N160 will launch on August 12, while the all-new Pulsar 125 was also spotted at a dealership earlier this week. Now, the new Bajaj Pulsar 150, too, has been spotted at a dealership, giving us a production-ready look at the motorcycle ahead of its expected launch in the near future. Gets a new air- and oil-cooled engine Features a new single-downtube frame with monoshock rear suspension All-new Bajaj Pulsar 150 details Shares design DNA and platform with the all-new Pulsar 125 The new Pulsar 150 sits on an entirely new platform with a single-downtube frame like the one seen on the all-new Pulsar 125 earlier this week. This replaces the older architecture that has underpinned the Classic Pulsar range for years. Suspension comprises a telescopic fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear, again mirroring the new Pulsar 125 setup and marking an up...

Introduced in 2023, the Jimny debuted in India as Maruti’s successor to the Gypsy. And while the Jimny was sold internationally as a 3-door model, India was the first country to have the 5-door Jimny. It gets retro-futuristic looks, high ground clearance, and a 4x4 drive system with low range. If you’re looking for a hardcore compact off-road SUV, should you consider the Jimny? We list out reasons to buy one and why it may not be the SUV for you. Reasons to buy the Maruti Jimny   Superb Off-road ability  Underpinning the Jimny is a ladder frame chassis that's best suited for heavy off-roading. Additionally, it gets Suzuki’s All Grip Pro 4x4 drive system with a lever to switch to ‘2WD-high’, ‘4WD-high’ and ‘4WD-low.’ High approach (36-degree) and departure (47-degree) angles, solid front and rear axles along with tech like hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and electronic braking differential (front and rear), help the Jimny feel right at home when off-roading. It perf...

After we recently reported price hikes for the 390 Duke and 390 Adventure range , KTM has now increased prices of its other lower-capacity, made-in-India motorcycles. The latest revision affects the 160 Duke, 200 Duke, 250 Duke, RC 160 and RC 390, with hikes ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. RC 160 gets the steepest Rs 15,000 price hike 160 Duke is now priced from Rs 1.84 lakh RC 390 price rises by Rs 10,000 to Rs 3.33 lakh KTM Duke and RC range prices increased 160 Duke gets up to Rs 10,000 more expensive The standard 160 Duke has received the largest hike among the Duke models, with its price rising by Rs 10,000, from Rs 1.74 lakh to Rs 1.84 lakh. The higher-spec 160 Duke TFT is now priced at Rs 1.91 lakh, following a smaller Rs 5,000 increase. Prices of the 200 Duke and 250 Duke have gone up by Rs 6,000 each. The 200 Duke now costs Rs 2.06 lakh, while the 250 Duke is priced at Rs 2.27 lakh.  Model Old price New price Difference 160 Duke Rs 1.74 lakh Rs 1.84 lakh Rs 10,000 1...